Grading Scale
The quality of a student’s academic achievement in each Berea College course is reported through final course grades in a grading scale adopted by the College Faculty in November 2007, as follows:
| A |
Excellent Work |
| B |
Good Work |
| C |
Competent Work* |
| D |
Poor work that is still worthy of credit
Raises serious concern about the readiness of a student to continue in related course work. |
| F |
Failing work that is unworthy of credit |
| CA |
The required minimum of 7 Convocation credits were earned |
| CF |
The required minimum of 7 Convocation credits were not earned |
| S/U/SC |
Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Satisfactorily Completed
Given in developmental mathematics courses and in other non-credit courses and projects. These grades are not used in determining the GPA. |
| P |
Passing work
Given for courses which do not affect GPA, but for which credit is earned. |
| CP |
Continuing Progress
Given when a student is enrolled in a class that continues into the next term. |
| I |
Incomplete
For an incomplete grade to be assigned, the student should provide a written request to the instructor of the course for the incomplete grade using the Request for Incomplete Grade form at least one week before the last day of class for the term, or as soon as reasonably possible in extenuating circumstances. When approved by the instructor, an incomplete grade may be assigned when at least 70% of the course has been completed but, for good and sufficient reason, a portion of the course cannot be completed by the end of the current term. Courses in which “I” grades are assigned must be completed by the deadline agreed upon by the student and the instructor as indicated on the form (usually no later than midterm of the next regular term in which the student is enrolled) or the grade will be recorded on the permanent academic record as “F” or “U” or as the grade indicated on the Request for Incomplete Grade form. Note that instructors may set an earlier deadline for completion of incomplete work than that set by the College.
|
| N |
No grade
A grade temporarily assigned 1) when extenuating circumstances prevent an instructor from submitting grades at the time grades are due or 2) when the specific requirements of the course prevent the student from completing all graded material in the course at the time grades are due. The second scenario usually occurs with Internship courses. A change of grade is required for 1) no later than 10 days following the assignment of the N grade and 2) as soon as all course work is completed and graded, but no later than the 12th week of the term after the Internship course is taken. No student may graduate with a N grade on their record. |
In addition, the course grades of A, B, C, and D may be modified by a plus (+) or minus (-) suffix, indicating achievement which is respectively at the higher or lower segment of each of these grade ranges.
* Please note that a C- does not count for sequenced courses requiring a C or higher in a previous course (e.g., FRN 102 requires a C or higher in FRN 101).
Additional Information for Faculty regarding Grades
Grade Point Average: For purposes of computing the Grade Point Average (GPA), the following weights are used: A+/A/CA-=4.0; A-=3.7; B+=3.3; B=3.0; B-=2.7; C+=2.3; C=2.0; C-=1.7; D+=1.3; D=1.0; D-= 0.7, and F=0.0. S, SC, I, and U grades are not used in calculating GPA.
Faculty members may elect to use, or not to use, plus or minus grades. Whichever system an individual faculty member elects to use for a given course should be made clear to the students. Faculty members are urged to reflect on the definitions in the context of individual courses and incorporate the definitions into grading policies and course syllabi to be shared with students at the beginning of the term in a manner that seems appropriate to each instructor.
Some courses are designed to use an alternative grading system. For example, in developmental mathematics and non-credit courses, “S” (Satisfactory) and “U” (Unsatisfactory) grades are given.
The “I” (Incomplete) is a temporary grade, given only when a student is unable to complete a course for reasons beyond the student’s control. The deadline should be clearly understood by the student. Failure to complete course work by the prescribed time results in the grade being changed to “F”, or if appropriate, “U”. Faculty who will be on leave of absence or sabbatical leave in the term or year following the term in which an “I” grade would be assigned; faculty who hold single year or term appointments; faculty who do not plan to return as an employee of the College at the conclusion of a term or academic year in which an “I” grade would be assigned; or faculty who have received notification that their employment with the College will be terminated (for reasons of tenure review decisions, probationary term non-renewal, etc.), must work with the Dean of Faculty to make arrangements for the review of the student's work and assignment of the final grade.